Apparatus and method for managing set top boxes

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted media program, where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of the targeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring of recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes in communication with each other over a network, where another set top box of the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box to record the targeted media program, and where the controller is provided access to the targeted media program by the host set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication services andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for managing set top boxes.

BACKGROUND

Set top boxes (STBs) can provide presentation of media programming andcontent, as well as recording of such programming and content. However,STBs are limited by hardware constraints or other system capabilities.The number of individual tuner cards in an STB can limit the number ofsimultaneous DVR recordings or playbacks an STB can perform. The usercan, with some frequency, run into scenarios where all available tunercards are in use, and additional recordings cannot be scheduled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 depict exemplary embodiments of a communication system;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication systems; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storagemedium can have computer instructions for monitoring recordings of mediaprograms by a group of set top boxes where the set top boxes are incommunication with each other over a network, determining a redundantrecording of a targeted media program based upon the recordings of themedia programs, designating a host set top box from the group of set topboxes to perform a recording of the targeted media program, eliminatingrecording of the targeted media program by one or more other set topboxes from the group of set top boxes, and providing the one or moreother set top boxes with access to the recorded targeted media program.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a server can have acontroller to monitor recordings of media programs by a group of set topboxes, determine a redundant recording of a targeted media program basedupon the recordings of the media programs, designate a host set top boxfrom the group of set top boxes to perform a recording of the targetedmedia program, and eliminate recording of the targeted media program byone or more other set top boxes from the group of set top boxes.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a server can have acontroller to monitor media content stored by a group of set top boxesin communication with each other over a network, determine redundantmedia content stored by the group of set top boxes, designate a targetmedia content from the redundant media content, designate a host set topbox to store the target media content, delete the redundant mediacontent from one or more of the group of set top boxes, and provide theone or more of the group of set top boxes with access to the targetmedia content stored by the host set top box.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a set top box can have acontroller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted mediaprogram where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of thetargeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring ofrecordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes incommunication with each other over a network, where another set top boxof the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box torecord the targeted media program, and where the controller is providedaccess to the targeted media program by the host set top box.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method can involvemonitoring recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes,determining a redundant recording of a targeted media program based uponthe recordings of the media programs, designating a host set top boxfrom the group of set top boxes to perform a recording of the targetedmedia program, and eliminating recording of the targeted media programby one or more other set top boxes from the group of set top boxes.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100employing an IPTV broadcast media architecture. In a typical IPTVinfrastructure, there is at least one super head office server (SHS)which receives national media programs from satellite and/or mediaservers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. The SHSserver forwards IP packets associated with the media content to videohead servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices (VHO) accordingto a common multicast communication method. The VHS then distributesmultimedia broadcast programs to commercial and/or residential buildings102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). Thegateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to media receivers 106 such asSet-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selections to mediadevices 108 such as computers or television units managed in someinstances by a media controller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remotecontrol). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the mediareceivers 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system 100 for servicessuch as video-on-demand (VoD).

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 200employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

The communication 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 240, atElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and network elements of anIMS network 250. The IMS network 250 can be coupled to IMS compliantcommunication devices (CD) 201, 202 (e.g., set top boxes) or a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) CD 203 using a Media Gateway ControlFunction (MGCF) 220 that connects the call through a common PSTN network260. CDs 201-203 can be fixed, mobile, wireless and/or wired devices.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS240. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 201 can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF 204which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF 206. Theoriginating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIP INVITE message to anapplication server (AS) such as reference 210 that can provide a varietyof services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server 210can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the callingparty number received by the originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITEmessage.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating SCSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 230 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 206 will forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (not shown).

When the ENUM server 230 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214 which can call on anapplication server similar to reference 210 to perform the originatingtreatment telephony functions described earlier. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals the CD 202 to establishcommunications. The aforementioned process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 can be interchanged.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 300employing set top box 106 communicating by way of wireless access points(WAPs) and/or wired infrastructure with other set top boxes and/or othercommunication devices and/or a network proxy or web server 322, whichcollectively operate in the communication system 300. Communicationsystem 300 can be overlaid or operably coupled with communicationsystems 100 and/or 200 as another representative embodiment of thecommunication system.

The set top boxes 106 can be multimedia devices for communicating video,voice and/or data, as well as receiving multimedia programming. The settop boxes 106 can include a tuner for receipt of the media programming,and can include a digital video recorder (DVR) or personal videorecorder (PVR). The set top boxes 106 can be multimode communicationdevices that can communicate via a number of modes of communication,including wired and/or wireless communication. The communication system300 can comprise a packet-switched network 305. The packet-switchednetwork can be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 305. Thenetwork 305 can be coupled to the network proxy 322, the cellularnetwork 313 and network elements located in one or more of the buildings312 representing an enterprise or residence. The ISP network 305utilizes technology for transporting Internet traffic.

In an enterprise setting, the building 312 can include a gateway 314that provides voice and/or video connectivity services between the settop boxes 106. In a residential setting, the building 312 can include agateway 314 represented by, for example, a residential gateway coupledto central office 306 utilizing conventional telephonic switching forprocessing calls with third parties.

The network proxy 322 can be used to control operations of a mediagateway 309, the central office 306 and the gateway 314. Communicationsbetween the network proxy 322, the set top boxes 106 and other networkelements of the communication system 300 can conform to any number ofsignaling protocols such as a session initiation protocol (SIP), SS7, ora video communications protocol such as H.323 which combines video andvoice over a packet-switched network, as well as cryptographicprotocols, such as transport layer security (TLS) or secure socketslayer (SSL), to provide secure communications for data transfers.

The network proxy 322 can comprise a communications interface 324 thatutilizes common technology for communicating over an IP interface withthe network 305, the media gateway 309, the cellular network 313, and/orthe gateway 314. By way of the communications interface 324, the networkproxy 322 can direct by common means any of the foregoing networkelements to establish packet switched data, voice, and/or videoconnections between set top boxes 106 distributed throughout thecommunication system 300. The network proxy 322 can further comprise amemory 326 (such as a high capacity storage medium) embodied in thisillustration as a database, and a controller 328 that makes use ofcomputing technology such as a desktop computer, or scalable server forcontrolling operations of the network proxy 322. The network proxy 322can operate as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) conforming in part toprotocols defined by standards bodies such as 3GPP (Third GenerationPartnership Protocol).

Under the control of the network proxy 322, the media gateway 309 canlink packet-switched and circuit-switched technologies such as thecellular network 313 (or central office 306) and the network 305, suchas an ISP network. The media gateway 309 can conform to a media gatewaycontrol protocol (MGCP) also known as H.248 defined by work groups inthe Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This protocol can handlesignaling and session management needed during a multimedia conference.The protocol defines a means of communication that converts data fromthe format required for a circuit-switched network to that required fora packet-switched network. MGCP can therefore be used to set up,maintain, and terminate calls between multiple disparate networkelements of the communication system 300. The media gateway 309 cantherefore support hybrid communication environments for the set topboxes 106, including VoIP terminals.

The central office 306 can house common network switching equipment fordistributing local and long-distance telecommunication services suppliedby network 305 to buildings 312 (such as dwellings or commercialenterprises). Telecommunication services of the central office 306 caninclude traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and broadbandservices such as HDTV, DSL, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV(Internet Protocol Television), Internet services, and so on. Thecommunication system 300 can utilize common computing and communicationstechnologies to support circuit-switched and/or packet-switchedcommunications.

The cellular network 313 can support voice and data services over anumber of access technologies such as GSM-GPRS, EDGE, CDMA-1×, UMTS,WiMAX, software defined radio (SDR), and other known and futuretechnologies. The cellular network 313 can be coupled to base stations327 under a frequency-reuse plan for communicating over-the-air withother communication devices of the communication system, including settop boxes 106.

The communication system 300 can include an STB server 350 that is incommunication with one or more of the STBs 106 in the system. The STBserver 350 can include various components, such as a controller,communications interface and memory, and can utilize various protocolsfor communication with the STBs 106, as well as with other communicationor network devices of the communication system 300. The STB server 350can be a separate device or sub-system of the communication system 300,or can be incorporated with other components of the communicationsystem, such as being incorporated into the network proxy 322, includingsharing one or more components with the network proxy.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary method 400 operating in portions of thecommunication systems 100-300. Method 400 has variants as depicted bythe dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skillin the art that other embodiments not depicted in FIG. 4 are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims described below. Forconvenience, reference to one or more features of communication system300 as used in the following paragraphs can mean one or more features ofthe communication systems 100, 200, and 300 singly or in combination,including servers 322 and 350.

Method 400 begins with step 402 in which the STB server 350 can monitorthe recording schedule for each of the STBs 106 within a group orcommunity of STBs. The particular size and configuration of the group ofSTBs 106 can vary, and can be based upon a number of criteria, includinggeographic location and relationship between the subscribers. In oneembodiment, the group of STBs 106 can communicate with each other overthe internet. In another embodiment, the group of STBs 106 can be avirtual private or STB network. For example, the virtual STB network canbe formed and can function using tunneling protocol through an existingnetwork. The interconnected nodes associated with the group of STBs 106can be maintained under a single administrative control or undermultiple administrative authorities, such as being hidden from thepublic Internet.

In step 404, the STB server 350 can determine if there are multiple STBs106 scheduled to record the same media programming. If there are notmultiple recordings of a single media programming scheduled then the STBserver 350 can continue to monitor the recording schedule for each ofthe STBs 106 within the group. If on the other hand, there are multiplerecordings scheduled, then in step 406 the STB server 350 can designateone or more of the STBs 106 to record the media program (e.g., a hostSTB), and in step 408 can eliminate recording by any other STBs. Thepresent disclosure contemplates a single STB 106 to be used to recordthe media program in order to maximize the preservation of resources ofthe group, or multiple STBs (e.g., two or three STBs) to record theprogram as a backup for poor quality recording or other potentialfailures.

The host STB can be chosen based upon a number of factors includingavailable resources and frequency of recording by the STB. In oneembodiment, the quality of recording by the STBs 106 of the group can bemonitored, and can be used as a factor in determining whether an STBshould be the host STB for recording a media program. In anotherembodiment, exception logic can provide for a scheduled recording to bemoved to yet another STB 106 if the host STB's tuners are filled up byits user. The present disclosure also contemplates one or more STBs 106which are not scheduled to record the media program to be designated asthe host STB. For example, an STB 106 that is determined to beinfrequently used, such as for part-time residents, can be designated asthe host STB.

In one embodiment, the STB server 350 can provide notice to the STBs 106that they will not be recording the media program due to the recordationby the host STB, as in step 410. The notice can be presented at the timethe user of the STB 106 is scheduling the redundant recording or can beprovided to the STB at some other time, such as near the scheduled timeof the programming. The form of the notice can vary. For example, avisual message that the user is scheduling a redundant recording can bedisplayed on the recording screen as part of the normal steps taken inscheduling a recording with the STB 106. As another example, a messageof redundant recording can be displayed during other programming,including a pop-up window or visually transparent message.

In step 412, the STB server 350 can monitor the host STB to ensure thatthe recording of the media program occurs and/or is occurring with asatisfactory quality. If the host STB records the entire media programthen in step 414 the STB server 350 can provide the other STBs 106 withaccess to the recorded media program. If on the other hand the host STBis no longer scheduled to record the media program, ceases recording theprogram (e.g., near the end of the media program), and/or is capturing alow-quality recorded program, then in step 416 the STB server 350 candesignate one or more other STBs 106 to record the media program, andaccess can be provided to the recorded program by the STB server 350 asrecited in step 414.

Distribution of the recorded media program can be provided in variousways, such as by transmitting the media program to each of the STBs 106that had requested recording. As another example, the recorded mediaprogram can be stored on the hard drive of the host STB or in anothermemory device, such as the memory of the STB server 350, so that each ofthe STBs 106 that had requested recording can access the recorded mediaprogram at their leisure. The distribution method can vary, includingstream, progressive download, full download, or other means. In oneembodiment, once the recorded media program has been made available toeach of the STBs 106 that had requested recording of the program, thenthe host STB can delete the program to free up its resources.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. In one embodiment, the group ofSTBs 106 can share resources through use of a de-centralized system. Forexample, the STBs 106 can coordinate amongst each other for designatinga host STB to record the media program without utilizing an STB server350 to make the determination. The STBs 106 can share their recordingschedules with each other so that the host STB can be determined. Wherea host STB is no longer available for recording the media program thenan arbitration process can be instituted, such as requiring the originalhost STB to locate another host STB to record the media programotherwise the original host STB must record the program. As anotherexample, STBs 106 can override an elimination of its scheduledrecording. User preferences can be used to determine the priority orderof delivery of the recorded media program from one STB to another. Forexample, a user can indicate a time he or she intends to watch theprogram and that time can be a factor in determining priority ofdelivery. As another example, the determination of the host STB can bemade in part based on the user preferences, such as where a userindicates that he or she will be viewing the program at the regularlyscheduled time. The user preferences can be provided at various times,such as in response to a message regarding the recording of a mediaprogram or as part of a user profile associated with the STB.

As yet another example, other resources of the STBs 106 can be shared.For example, hard drive space on the STBs 106 can be shared amongst eachother. The STB server 350 and/or the STBs 106 can eliminate redundantcopies of recorded media programs that are stored on the STB harddrives. The choice of which copies to retain can be based upon a numberof factors, such as the quality of the particular recording. Theelimination of redundant copies can be maintained as STBs 106 areentering the group or leaving the group. For example, as an STB 106 isto be de-activated, such as a subscriber switching service providers,the stored media programs on the STB's hard drive can be transferred toanother STB in the group.

As yet another example, backup functions can be achieved using the STBserver 350 and/or the group of STBs 106. Where one STB 106 in the grouphas a faulty recording, the media program can be restored from analternate STB within the group. This can be achieved in a number ofways, including dynamically by using an algorithm to determine recordingquality, and providing the highest-quality version within a group tothose with lower-quality recordings. In one embodiment, by using theSTBs 106 within the group in a peered relationship to perform thisfunction, the service provider may not be required to maintain aserver-based backup service.

These are but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate with each othervia a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include a videodisplay unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system500 may include an input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a mass storage medium 516, a signalgeneration device 518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 520.

The mass storage medium 516 may include a computer-readable storagemedium 522 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 524) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The computer-readable storage medium 522 can be an electromechanicalmedium such as a common disk drive, or a mass storage medium with nomoving parts such as Flash or like non-volatile memories. Theinstructions 524 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 504, the static memory 506, and/or within theprocessor 502 during execution thereof by the computer system 500. Themain memory 504 and the processor 502 also may constitutecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 524, or that which receives and executes instructions 524from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 526 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 526 using the instructions 524. Theinstructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a network526 via the network interface device 520.

While the computer-readable storage medium 522 is shown in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storagemedium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media(e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated cachesand servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include anymedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set ofinstructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine toperform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be takento include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a computer-readable storage medium or a distribution medium, aslisted herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successormedia, in which the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprisingcomputer instructions which when executed by a processor cause theprocessor to perform operations comprising: monitoring recordings ofmedia programs by a group of set top boxes, wherein each set top box ofthe group of set top boxes is operable to record a media program, andwherein the group of set top boxes are in communication with each otherover a network; determining that multiple set top boxes of the group ofset top boxes have recorded a same targeted media program; responsive todetermining that multiple set top boxes have recorded the same targetedmedia program, identifying a host set top box from the multiple set topboxes to retain a recording of the same targeted media program;responsive to identifying the host set top box to retain the recording,removing the recording of the same targeted media program from theremainder of the multiple set top boxes; and directing the remainder ofthe multiple set top boxes to access a recorded version of the sametargeted media program by way of the host set top box.
 2. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein themonitoring of the recordings of the media programs is based at least inpart on scheduled recordings by the group of set top boxes.
 3. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprisingcomputer instructions which when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to perform operations comprising providing the group of settop boxes with access to the recorded version of the same targeted mediaprogram by at least one of progressive download, full download, orstreaming.
 4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, comprising computer instructions which when executed by theprocessor cause the processor to perform operations comprisingidentifying the host set top box based on a quality of recording.
 5. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprisingcomputer instructions which when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to perform operations comprising: detecting an exceptiongenerated by the host set top box indicating an inability to perform therecording of the targeted media program; designating a substitute hostset top box of the multiple set top boxes to retain the recording of thesame targeted media program in response to the detected exception; anddeleting the recorded targeted media program from the substitute hostset top box after the group of set top boxes have accessed the recordedtargeted media program.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 1, comprising computer instructions which when executedby the processor cause the processor to perform operations comprisingdesignating another host set top box of the multiple set top boxes toretain the recording of the same targeted media program.
 7. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprisingcomputer instructions which when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to perform operations comprising designating another host settop box to perform a recording of the targeted media program duringpresentation of the targeted media program.
 8. A server, comprising: amemory to store computer instructions; and a processor coupled to thememory, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the computerinstructions, performs operations comprising: monitoring recordings ofmedia programs by a group of set top boxes, wherein each set top box ofthe group of set top boxes is operable to independently record a mediaprogram; identifying multiple set top boxes of the group of set topboxes that have recorded a same targeted media program; identifying ahost set top box from the multiple set top boxes to retain a recordingof the same targeted media program; responsive to identifying the hostset top box, deleting recordings of the same targeted media program fromone or more of the multiple set top boxes from the group of set topboxes; and directing one or more of the group of set top boxes to accessa recorded version of the same targeted media program by way of the hostset top box.
 9. The server of claim 8, wherein the processor performsoperations comprising providing the one or more of the group of set topboxes with access to the recorded version of the same targeted mediaprogram by at least one of progressive download, full download, orstreaming.
 10. The server of claim 8, wherein the processor performsoperations comprising designating another host set top box to retain arecording of the same targeted media program during presentation of thesame targeted media program.
 11. The server of claim 8, wherein thecomputer instructions cause the processor to perform operationscomprising providing notice to the one or more of the multiple set topboxes that the record version of the same targeted media program will bedeleted from the host set top box.
 12. The server of claim 8, whereinthe processor is in communication with the group of set top boxes over avirtual private network, wherein each set top box of the group of settop boxes is coupled via a corresponding gateway to the server.
 13. Theserver of claim 8, wherein the processor performs operations comprising:detecting an inability of the host set top box to retain the recordingof the same targeted media program due to a change in availability ofresources of the host set top box; and selecting a substitute host settop box of the multiple set top boxes to retain the recording of thesame targeted media program in response to the detected inability of thehost set top box.
 14. A server, comprising: a memory to store computerinstructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein theprocessor, responsive to executing the computer instructions, causes thecontroller to perform operations comprising: determine that multiple settop boxes of a group of set top boxes have recorded a same target mediacontent; identifying a host set top box of the multiple set top boxes toretain the same target media content; responsive to identifying the hostset top box, deleting recordings of the same targeted media program fromone or more multiple set top boxes; and directing one or more of thegroup of set top boxes to access a recorded version of the same targetedmedia content from host set top box.
 15. The server of claim 14, whereinthe processor performs operations comprising indentifying the host settop box based at least in part on a quality of recording of the targetmedia content by the host set top box.
 16. The server of claim 14,wherein the processor performs operations comprising providing the oneor more of the group of set top boxes with access to the recordedversion of the same target media content by at least one of progressivedownload, full download, or streaming.
 17. The server of claim 14,wherein the processor performs operations comprising: identifying asecond host set top box; and transferring the recorded version of thetarget media content to the second host set top box for storage, whereineach set top box of the group of set top boxes is coupled via acorresponding gateway to the server.
 18. The server of claim 14, whereinthe processor performs operations comprising: detecting a change in anavailability of resources of the host set top box to store the sametarget media content; and designating a second host set top box of themultiple set top boxes to store the same target media program inresponse to the detected change.
 19. A set top box, comprising: a memoryto store computer instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory,wherein the processor, responsive to executing the comprises computerinstructions, performs operations comprising: receiving a request toserve as a host set top box for a group of set top boxes incommunication with each other over an internet protocol televisionnetwork, wherein each set top box of the group of set top boxes hasrecorded a targeted media program; storing a recording of the targetedmedia program at the set top box responsive to the received request; andtransmitting the recorded targeted media program to a first set top boxof the group of set top boxes that have recorded the targeted mediaprogram, wherein a recorded version of the targeted media program hasbeen deleted from the first set top box.
 20. The set top box of claim19, wherein the processor performs operations comprising receiving thetargeted media program from a substitute host set top box.
 21. A method,comprising: determining, by a system comprising a processor, whethermultiple set top boxes of a group of set top boxes have recorded a sametargeted media program; designating, by the system, a host set top boxfrom the multiple set top boxes to retain a recording of the sametargeted media program; deleting recordings of the same targeted mediaprogram from one or more of the multiple set top boxes responsive todesignating the host set top box; and directing one or more of the groupof set top boxes to access a recorded version of the same targeted mediaprogram from the host set top box.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe group of set top boxes are in communication with each other over avirtual private network, wherein each set top box of the group of settop boxes is coupled via a corresponding gateway to a server, andwherein the two or more separate locations comprise at least one of aresidence or an enterprise.